Bucket ejector for digging apparatus



Nov. 27, l1956 Filed Aug. 15, 1952 R. FERWERDA BUCKET EJECTOR FORDIGGING 'ABBARATUS 5 Sheetsm'iheet 1 INVENTOR.

A TTUNYS Nov. 27, 1956. R.fFERwl-:RDA

BUCKET EJECTOR FOR DIGGING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15.1952.

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Nov. 27, 1956 R. FERWERDA 2,772,011

BUCKET EJEC-TOR FOR DIGGI-NG APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VEN TOR. RAY FER w'RDA Arron/V575 Nov. 27, 1956 R.Fr-:Rwg-:RDA BUCKET EJE'f-:TR FOR DIGGING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1952INVENTOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 27, 1956 R. FERWERDA 2,772,011

BUCKET FOR DIGGING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, '1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. RAY Ffa wfRoA ATTORIVYS United States Patent O BUCKET EJECTORFR DIGGING APPARATUS Ray Ferwerda, Miami, Fla. a

Application August 15, 1952, Serial No. 304,544

3 Claims. (Cl. 214-510) This invention relates to improvements in a boomsupported olset digging apparatus.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a diggingimplement operated by a telescopic boom mounted on a vehicle, whereinthe digging implement is either substantially in line with one side ofthe vehizle, or laterally outside the rest of the vehicle, making itpossible to excavate close against obstacles such as buildings, poles,wires and the like. The invention also makes it possible to keep thevehicle on a roadway while digging laterally to one side of the roadway.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel scoopbucket, mounted offset from the main boom, and open in a fore-and-aftdirection so that digging is easily accomplished using the telescopingaction of the boom.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a novel ejector bladein combination with the scoop bucket of the preceding paragraph, forejecting the contents of the scoop bucket. Preferably, movement of thebucket relative to the boom is provided and this relative movement isutilized to actuate the ejector blade automatically.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel stop meansengaged between the boom and the ground below it so as to automaticallyposition the bucket for digging a predetermined distance below saidground level.

The invention also provides the novel combination of a boom supporting adigging bucket and means for oscillating the boom about its ownlongitudinal axis, so that the material scraped up by the bucket may bedumped to one side of its excavation without swinging the boom. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and specification, and the essential featuresthereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a vehicle and boom with which myinvention may be used;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Pig. 3 is a side elevationai view, enlarged, taken from the position ofthe line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental View, enlarged, taken from the position of theline 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the structure of Fig, 3, being taken fromthe position of the line 6 6;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational View of the structure of Fig. 6, beingtaken from the position of the line 7-7, and showing my invention usedfor digging a ditch a predetermined distance below the grade of aroadway; while Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar to Fig. 3 showingdifferent positions of the parts.

For illustrating a vehicle and boom with which the present invention maybe used, I have shown the material moving apparatus which is fullydescribed and claimed in U. S. Patent No. 2,541,045, granted February13, 1951,

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to myself and Koop Ferwerda. A brief description of this apparatus willbe given and for further details reference may be had to the above namedpatent.

As is clearly shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the materialmoving apparatus comprises a support 1, preferably in the form of avehicle of rigid construction with heavy wheels 2 and axles 3 and asubstantial frame or body member 4, on the upper side of which acircular turntable unit 5 provided with roller bearings 6 is mounted.The upper turntable member is secured to the under side of an enlargedplatform 7, which is provided at a central point with an opening throughwhich a fixed vertical standard 8 secured at its lower end 9 to thevehicle body member 4, is engaged. The standard 8 carries `at its upperend a stationary sprocket 11, over which a sprocket chain 12 is engaged.The sprocket chain 12 is preferably of a length adequate to carry theplatform 7 through a rotation around the turntable of at least acomplete circle.

The means for rotating the platform in the full hydraulic systemillustrated provides a hydraulic cylinder unit at each end of thesprocket chain 12. These cylinder units 13, 14, are preferably anchoredon the platform oor along diagonal lines at each of the rearwardcorners. Each cylinder should be of sufficient length to permit itspiston rods 15, 16, respectively, a long range of motion. Oil underpressure is supplied selectively to one or the other of these cylindersaccording to the direction of motion desired. An oil line connection 18between the two cylinders, transfers oil from one cylinder to itscompanion cylinder to correspond with the direction of movement.

The rotatable platform 7, at its forward portion at one side is providedwith an operators cab 21, and the valve controls are centered at suchpoint.

Centrally of the platform 7, an extensible boom 22 is provided, theforward portion of the main tbody of the boom projecting beyond thefront edge of the platform, in the apparatus illustrated, approximatelyhalf its length. In order to obtain longer range of action and balancedoperation the boom is pivoted on the platform at an intermediate point,in the apparatus illustrated, at a point approximately one-third thedistance from its rearward end. The horizontal pivot for the boom issomewhat in advance of the turntable center and is part of a broad rigidstructure supporting the boom horizontally in va plane some distanceabove the floor of the platform 7.

The supporting structure for the boom 22 comprises a pair of heavyplates 23, 24, securely mounted centrally of the platform 7 and spacedapart a distance somewhat greater than the turntable width. At theforward upper edges of the plates, trunnion bearings 25, are mounted,within which the stub axles 26 are engaged, the stub axles being securedto the opposite sides of an annular roller bearing tra-ck 27 withinwhich an annular roller bearing shell 23 is rotatably engaged. Theplates 23, X4, are cut away on an angle at their rearward portion 29 toa point adjacent the iloor of the platform and immediately inside thewalls thus provided, boom raising and lowering cylinders 31, 32, arepivotally mounted on the platform immediately below the trunnionbearings 25 of the boom.

. The piston rods 35 of the boom raising and lowering prises .therearward section l, preferably formed of aY skeletonized frame of threetubular members 52, 53, 54, of extended length secured in the rearwardend plate 42,

preferably, arranged in triangular relation to provide two lowerparallel `track-ways 52, 53, and a central upper trackway 54. K

The rearward boom section 51 is securely engaged within the annularroller bearing shell Z which, as stated, rotates -within the annularroller bearing 'trackway heretofore described. Adjacent its forward endthe boom section YSi. is provided with a triangular bracing member 55,andsit may also have one or more similar intermediate bracing members,such `as shown at 56. s

At the extreme kforward `ends of the tubular members 5?., 53, Se,Vbracketsv S7 carrying grooved rollers 58 are provided for cooperationwith the extensible or telescopic vinner boom section 6l. The boomsection 51 is preferably made very rigid and its central portion vmay beprovided Ywith reinforcing webs or gusset plates of sheet metal 59welded to the .tubular members'SZ, 53, S4 on their outer surfaces or tothe brace lbars secured thereto.

The inner boom section 61 is very similar in Vconstruction to the outerboom section 51 having three triangularly related tubular members 62,63, 64, with bracing mem 7 bers 65Yat'intervals of their length. Attheir rearward Y ends the tubular members `6?., 63 and 64 each carry aftion to overcomewhen the boom extension moves outwardly Vor -in thereverse direction.

Y The boom extension and implement control cylinders are shownat 106 and107 in Fig. l. Main cylinder 106 has its rear end attached to the mainl,boom portion and has its piston rodconnected at its front end to theextensible boo-m portion so that pressure fluid supplied in rear of thepiston will extend the boom `and pressure lluid supplied in front of thepiston will retract the boom. Positioning cylinder 107 is forcontrolling an implement mounted on theV extensible boom portion, Vbutis not used with the present invention. The hydraulic control system isas shown in Fig. 5 of the above mentioned patent.

The telescopic boom and arrangement of the hydraulic pressure lines mayalso .take any of the forms shown in the lcopending application ofmyself and Koop Fer-werda, Serial No. 203,156, tiled December 28, 1950.

The present invention provides .a bucket-supporting boom portion 68,laterally offset from the telescopic boom `and generally parallelthereto. The boom portion 68 is preferably formed of three axiallyextending tubular members, 69 and 7@ on the bottom, and 71 -on the top.

These *are rigidly connected by relatively light plates or bracingmembers 72. The `boom portion 63 is rigidly Y connected to theextensible boom portion 61. A tubular member 73 is rigidly mounted inbrackets 74, normally used for mounting an implement on the end of thetelescopic boom. Member 73 is' welded to tubular member 69. An extensiontube 73a is welded between members 69 land 7i). Braces rigidly connectedbetween boom portions 61 `and 63 are shown `at 75. s Y

The digging implement is shown as a ybucket '76 of scoop form having twogenerally parallel side walls 77 lrigidly connected'by a continuous wall78 having a back wall portion '78a and a bottom wall portion '73h Vcon#nected by a curved wall portion 73C. Y The side walls are generally Cshape inform. rhe diggingwends of side walls 77 and bottom .wallib areprovided with hardened digging edges indicated at V79. The bracket 76is,Y

inthe form of a scoop so as to dig in a .fore-and-af-t direction,parallel to the movement of the telescopic'boom.

YThe scoop .is shown opening rearwardly toward the Vop-Y Verators cab 2lso that he may see what heris doing.

However, the scoop might open forwardly,

VThe bucket 76 is mounted for pivotal action about hollow tubular shaftSi). This shaft is fixed in brackets Si carried at the front end of boomportion 63. A plate S2 fixed to bucket side walls 77 carries twoupstandin'g Years 83, each of which terminates in a hollow trunnion Seembracing shaft Si?. Crank arms S5 andV 36 move together about shaft Stias a pivot. Arm 85 cornprises two parallel plates between which link 87is'pivoted at point SS. i to earsv90 secured to lbucket 76. Arm 3.6comprises two parallel plates betweenU which is pivotally mounted pis-Vbe dumped by moving it to the position of Fig. 8, l pre- Y fer toprovide means for aiding the discharge of the V bucket contents whichmay be ymud or sticky clay. Such aV means is shown as ejector blade 95.This blade ex- Y tends between the side walls 77 .and generally conformsto the bottom and `curved wall portions '13b and 78C.

Above that, it inclines upwardly and away from back arm 97, below pivot161, andjbucket-'Id normally holds f blade in the position of Figs. 3and 8.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the lip portion of blade 95, which ismainly the bottomY portion 73]?, isA hingedly connected to the rest ofthe biade at hinge im extending at right langles to side wallss77. VThisaidsV in expelling the contents of bucket 76.

Preferably, but it is not alwaysnecessary, l provide Y stop meansen-gageable between the telescopic boom and Athe ground beneath is so asto limit the depth at fwhich bucket 76 will dig, as shown -atsline B,Fig. 3,7below Va ground line A. To this end one or more, preferably two,

stops 134 are mounted on shaft 73 in brackets 1165. lref-V erably, thestops 104 are adjustable as Vby having `a series of holes 19S any one ofwhich is engageable by a pin 169 holding the stop in the bracket.

friction .reducing roller is carried by each stop i534 Preferably, also,a

at its lower, ground-engaging end.

Theoperation of my device is as follows, The operator in cab 21 placesthe vehicle in thc proper position and' extends boom portion 6i, at thesame time lowering the boom untilV bucket 76 engages the ground. Thedigging 76 may be dumped. Sometimes this may be done by oscillating ortilting the boom, using cylinders 46 and The other end of link 37 ispivoted at S9:

These ribs 47, thus making it unnecessary to swing the boom. As thematerial in the bucket is being dumped, jack 91 is actuated to bringstriker paf. 9S into engagement with stop 99, 100 as shown in Fig. 8.Further oscillation of bucket 76 counterclockwise around shaft 80 willcause movement of ejector blade 95 clockwise about its pivot 101, fromthe loading position of Figs. 3 and 8 to the dumping position of Fig. 9.At this time lip 78h, if hinged at 103, will swing from the full lineposition of Fig. 9 to the dot-dash position to aid in discharging thecontents of the bucket.

Referring to Fig. 7, because of the offset of boom portion 68, thevehicle may remain on a paved roadway 111 and dig a ditch 112 to oneside thereof. Using the stops 104, the bottom of the ditch may be madeto follow the grade of roadway 111 which is often desired for sewers andutility lines.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that bucket 76 is located to lineup with the laterally outermost part of the vehicle, as shown by line C,and by boom manipulation the bucket may be used to dig laterally outsideof line C.

Referring to Fig. 7, the only thing laterally outside of the outer sidewall 77 of bucket 76 is one of the brackets 81. If desired, this bracketcould be eliminated and the inner bracket 81 made strong enough tocantilever shaft 80 outwardly therefrom.

What I claim is:

l. In combination, a boom, means mounting a scoop bucket on said boomfor movement relative to said boom, an ejector blade movably mounted insaid bucket for movement between a normal bucket-loading position and abucket-dumping position, blade-movementcausing means operativelyassociated with said blade for moving the latter to dumping position,power means for moving said scoop bucket relative to said boom, andmeans operatively connected with said blade-movement-causing means andresponsive to said movement of said scoop bucket relative to said boomfor causing movement of said blade to its dumping position.

2. In combination, a boom, a digging Scoop bucket mounted on said boom,said bucket having generally parallel spaced side walls extending in adirection generally parallel to the axis of said boom, said buckethaving bottom and back walls extending between said side walls, saidbucket being open rearwardly toward said boom, said bucket side wallsbeing pivotally mounted on said boom on a pivotal axis extendingapproximately at right angles to said side walls and spaced from saidback wall, an ejector blade in said bucket extending between said sidewalls, said blade in bucket loading position lying near said back andbottom walls, said blade having a pivotal mounting on the upper portionof said side walls providing oscillating movement of said blade awayfrom said back wall to a bucket dumping position, an arm rigid with saidblade and extending above its pivotal mounting, means on said boom foroscillating said bucket about its pivotal axis, and a stop on said boomengageable by said arm as said bucket oscillates about its pivotal aXiscausing movement of said blade toward dumping position. 3. lncombination, a vehicle, a boom mounted thereon, a digging scoop bucketmounted on said boom, said bucket having parallel generally C-shapespaced side walls extending in a fore-and-aft direction, said buckethaving bottom and back walls connected by a curved wall, said bottom andback and curved walls extending between said side walls, said buckethaving an open side rearwardly toward said vehicle supporting said boom,the upper rearward portion of said side walls being pivotally mounted onsaid boom on a pivotal axis extending approximately at right angles tosaid side walls and spaced from said back wall, an ejector blade in saidbucket extending with a substantially continuous surface between saidside walls, said blade in bucket loading position conforming generallyto said bottom and curved walls and extending upwardly spaced from saidback wall, said blade being C-shape and generally parallel to said Cconformation of said side walls and said blade having a pivotal mountingon the upper portion of said side walls and spaced from said back wallproviding oscillating movement of said blade away from said back andbottom walls to a bucket dumping position, means on said boom foroscillating said bucket about said pivotal axis to a dumping positionwith said open side downwardly, an arm rigid with said blade andextending above its pivotal mounting, and a stop on said supporting boomengageable by said arm as said bucket oscillates about its pivotal axiscausing movement of said blade toward dumping position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,032,358 Frayer July 9, 1912 1,476,375 Shook Dec. 4, 1923 2,378,280Bomford June 12, 1945 2,397,046 Richey Mar. 19, 1946 2,471,639McElhinney May 31, 1949 2,503,522 Struthers et al. Apr. 11, 19502,541,045 Ferwerda et al. Feb. 13, 1951 2,634,003 Williamson et al. Apr.7, 1953 2,698,106 McElhinney Dec. 28, 1954

